How to Reduce Digital Noise in an SLR Photograph

Digital cameras have become very advanced devices. The digital imaging sensor on most digital cameras is somewhat smaller in size than the old 35mm standard film plate. This sensor is responsible for most of the noise, or random speckles, created when taking a picture.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Read through the camera's user manual to determine if noise is a common occurrence for that particular model camera. Doing the research before making the purchase is the best defense against noise; many models simply handle noise better than others.

2. Buy a digital SLR camera that incorporates a full-frame imaging sensor. The larger the imaging sensor, the better the light is distributed across the imaging area producing sharper, crisper images that exhibit little or no noise interference. Full frame SLRs are the most expensive SLR cameras sold.

3. Use the camera's on-board noise reduction feature, if equipped. Most manufacturers offer some form of in-camera software to handle unwanted noise, or the camera reduces noise as it records images.

4. Reduce the camera's ISO, or film speed. On digital cameras this number is only representative of film speed and the higher the ISO on many cameras, the higher the digital noise within the image.

5. Purchase noise reduction software, such as Noise Ninja or Neat Image. Try out a few of these to determine which best reduces noise in the SLR photographs.

Tips & Warnings

• Faster shutter speeds introduce less noise into the image.
• Take pictures in a brighter environment. Darker images often produce higher noise in images. Reducing the ISO on the camera helps to reduce image noise greatly.

Resources

• Noise Ninja.
• Neat Image.